Archbishop of Canterbury calls for peacebuilding among all faiths

The Archbishop of Canterbury who is currently in the island on a three-day visit called on all faiths to engage in peacebuilding.

“Whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist – whatever faith, society calls us to account and I believe God calls us to account at the end of time,” said Justin Welby, senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England.

Archbishop Welby made these comments at an inter-faith dialog which was held at the Archbishop’s House, in Colombo today (August 29).

He said the challenge of discussion between faiths had become much more difficult in the last 13 to 14 years.

Archbishop Welby added that while there has been a growth in extremist attitudes in every faith - even in Christianity, it was the duty of its religious leaders to resist extremism and to teach peaceful and honest dialog.

“Dialogue is when we are open and honest and when we open the door to our hearts and say this is what frightens me about you or it is this that I disagree with you, “  Archbishop Welby said.

“…it is only then that we begin to recognize each other as human beings and then the dialog becomes fruitful and not barren.”

Archbishop Welby on Thursday visited St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo soon after he arrived in Sri Lanka.

He met with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today (August 29) and will preside over a service at the Cathedral in Colombo.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury.

(Pix by Amila Gamage)